Lead Carpenter

Job Title: Lead Carpenter / Foreman Job Description
This role leads small commercial construction and renovation projects from start to finish while working hands-on as part of the crew. The Lead Carpenter / Foreman oversees installation and finishing work in restaurant, retail, office, and amenity spaces, ensuring high-quality results, safe practices, and efficient project completion across the DC/MD/Northern Virginia area.
Responsibilities

• Lead small commercial projects from initial setup through completion, ensuring work meets quality, safety, and schedule expectations.
• Work hands-on as part of the crew, performing carpentry and finishing tasks alongside team members.
• Install wall panels, drywall, and acoustical ceilings in commercial environments such as restaurants, retail stores, and office spaces.
• Perform metal stud framing, including layout, installation, and alignment according to project specifications and blueprints.
• Complete finish carpentry work, including trim, doors, and other detailed finishes in amenity and office spaces.
• Perform tile and grout work as needed to support renovation and fit-out projects.
• Read and interpret blueprints and construction documents to plan work, coordinate tasks, and ensure accurate execution.
• Lead and coordinate small crews on-site, assigning tasks, monitoring progress, and ensuring that each team member contributes effectively.
• Support restaurant and retail renovation projects, including work in active or recently active food-service environments.
• Adapt to project schedules that include night shifts and weekends, especially for restaurant and retail work that must be completed outside operating hours.
• Communicate clearly with team members and supervisors to coordinate schedules, address issues, and maintain a collaborative, team-oriented environment.
• Maintain a clean and organized work area, recognizing that projects may involve dirty or challenging conditions in existing commercial spaces.
• Drive or report daily to the shop in Waldorf, MD, and travel with company crews to job sites throughout the DC/MD/Northern Virginia region.
• Follow a two-week look-ahead schedule to plan workload, staffing, and personal availability in alignment with project needs.

Essential Skills

• At least 10 years of commercial carpentry experience, including work in restaurants, retail spaces, office renovations, and amenity spaces.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience leading small projects or crews in a commercial construction or renovation environment.
• Strong finish carpentry skills, including detailed trim and finishing work in occupied or semi-occupied commercial spaces.
• Proficiency with drywall installation and finishing in commercial settings.
• Experience with metal stud framing, including layout and installation for walls and ceilings.
• Ability to read and interpret blueprints and construction documents accurately.
• Demonstrated experience with restaurant renovations and retail fit-outs, including working around existing fixtures and equipment.
• Experience with office and amenity space renovations, including coordination with other trades.
• Ability to work effectively as a hands-on leader within a crew, setting the pace and maintaining high standards.
• Strong communication skills to coordinate with team members and adapt to a team-oriented environment.
• Willingness and ability to work night shifts and weekends as needed to accommodate client operating schedules.
• Comfort working in active or recently active restaurant and retail environments, including potentially dirty or messy conditions.
• Reliable transportation to reach the shop in Waldorf, MD, and readiness to travel daily with crews to various job sites.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Any additional carpentry skills, such as specialized finishing, custom installations, or multi-trade capabilities, are considered a plus.
• Experience performing smaller install and repair jobs in commercial environments is beneficial.
• Prior experience working on fast-paced projects lasting from several days to several weeks.
• Ability to adapt to varying work hours and changing project demands.
• Strong sense of responsibility, reliability, and the ability to pull one's weight as part of a crew.
• Comfort working in both day and night shifts depending on project type and client requirements.

Why Work Here?
You will join a highly team-oriented organization that values collaboration, clear communication, and mutual support on every project. The role offers opportunities for travel within the DC/MD/Northern Virginia area, with paid travel time and per diem for eligible assignments. As you grow with the company, you may become eligible for the use of a company truck once in a permanent capacity. The work provides variety, with projects ranging from short-term installs to multi-week renovations, and you receive a two-week look-ahead schedule to help you plan your time and maintain work-life balance.
Work Environment
The company operates out of a shop based in Waldorf, MD, where employees meet before traveling together to job sites across the DC/MD/Northern Virginia region. Work focuses on smaller install and repair jobs in commercial restaurant and retail spaces, as well as office and amenity renovations. Projects typically last from several days to several weeks. Approximately 70% of the work occurs overnight and often includes weekends, especially for restaurant and retail projects that must be completed when locations are closed. Daytime work is more common for office and amenity spaces. The environment is highly team-oriented, with crews working closely together, emphasizing communication and shared responsibility. Job sites can be dirty or messy due to the nature of working in active or recently active restaurant and retail spaces, so comfort in such conditions is important. A two-week look-ahead schedule is provided to help forecast shifts and project timelines, and employees travel as a group from the shop to each site.
Job Type & Location
This is a Contract to Hire position based out of La Plata, MD.
Pay and Benefits
The pay range for this position is $30.00 - $35.00/hr.
Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: • Medical, dental & vision • Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital • 401(k) Retirement Plan - Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available • Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) • Short and long-term disability • Health Spending Account (HSA) • Transportation benefits • Employee Assistance Program • Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)
Workplace Type
This is a fully onsite position in La Plata,MD.
Application Deadline
This position is anticipated to close on Aug 3, 2026.

About Aerotek

Aerotek® Inc. provides staffing and services solutions in manufacturing, logistics, construction, aviation, facilities and maintenance. We provide the expertise, solutions and people required to rise to the challenges of North American industry. Headquartered in Hanover, Md., Aerotek operates a unified network of over 200 offices across North America, supporting more than 18,000 clients each year. Aerotek is an Allegis Group company, the global leader in workforce and business solutions. To learn more, visit: Aerotek.com | 1-888-AEROTEK.


Aerotek offers weekly pay, employee benefits including medical, dental & vision, life insurance, health advocacy and employee assistance programs, a 401(k) plan, and employee discounts.


The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regards to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance:
Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector:
It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI):
We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.